In order for President Felix Tshisekedi to suffocate and neutralize a strong movement out of Grand Katanga should the elections in December 2023 be rigged, he needs the support of Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
But Tshisekedi knows that he has rattled South African president Cyril Ramaphosa over the Kingakati Agreement which resulted in his ascendance to power.
So, he needs Zimbabwe and Zambia on his side. The last few weeks, President Tshisekedi has sent his special envoy Professor Serge Tshibangu, his tribesmate, to meet with President Emerson Mnangagwa and this past weekend also met with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.
No official statement has been issued on the meetings but sources close to the Congolese presidency have indicated, a strong regional backing is critical for President Tshisekedi going into the polls.
President Tshisekedi has a fragile relationship with Paul Kagame and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. He can’t afford to fall into another trap especially with Zambia and so cementing the new “boys of the west” tag with President Hichilema is critical for him to win even a rigged election.
